Simple Time Signatures
(duple) (triple) (Quadruple)
Beat Note 2 Beats Per Measure 3 Beats 4 Beats
Whole note (1/1) 2/1 3/1 4/1
Half Note (1/2) 2/2 (or cut time) 3/2 4/2
Quarter Note (1/4) 2/4 3/4 4/4 or C
Eighth Note (1/8) 2/8 3/8 4/8
Sixteenth Note (1/16) 2/16 3/16 4/16
Thirty-Second Note (1/32) 2/32 3/32 4/32
The numerators of time signatures are 2, 3, and 4.
2 = duple simple time (meter)
3 = triple simple time
4 = quadruple simple time
Compound Time Signatures
(duple) (triple) (Quadruple)
Beat Note 2 Beats Per Measure 3 Beats 4 Beats
Dotted (3/2) 6/2 9/2 12/2
Whole Note
Dotted (3/4) 6/4 9/4 12/4
Half Note
Dotted (3/8) 6/8 9/8 12/8
Quarter Note
Dotted (3/16) 6/16 9/16 12/16
Eighth Note
Dotted (3/32) 6/32 9/32 12/32
Sixteenth Note
*In compound time, the numerators of the time signatures are 6, 9, and 12.
6 = duple compound time
9 = triple compound time
12 = quadruple compound time